Australian Consul General to Los Angeles, the Hon. John Olsen announced this week that Hugh Jackman and Olivia Newton John will be two of the 2006 honorees at the Penfolds Icon Gala Dinner.

INXS will also perform for the Gala dinner on January 14 and a special January 15 private concert at the famed House of Blues on the Sunset Strip, just days before the start of the band’s US concert tour.

Also on January 15, Steve Irwin will lend his unique talents to a one-hour live stage show at UCLA which will raise the curtain for an afternoon Aussie festival and a sanctioned Aussie Rules Football clash between the Sydney Swans and the Kangaroos.

A round-up of some of the major events include:

Penfolds Icon Gala Dinner at the Hollywood Palladium, January 14

Wolf Blass Aussie Festival with Steve Irwin and Aussie Rules Football at
UCLA, January 15

G’Day LA CEO Golf Event hosted by Ian Baker Finch, January 16

Rosemount Estate Film Premiere at Paramount Studios, January 17

Energy Security in Asia Pacific Policy Forum at UCLA, January 18

Australian Designer Showcase at the Hollywood Palladium, January 18

The Australian Made Industry Only Food & Beverage Trade Day at Luxe Hotel,
January 20

The Hon. John Olsen also announced an exciting promotion that would stretch the week’s focus beyond California and across the United States.

“In 2006, for the first time, we are holding a ‘virtual’ event, which will, through the power of the internet, engage an additional half a million Americans,” Olsen said.

The Great Aussie Auction will be a high profile promotional ‘event’ for Australia and its tourism operators, with auction opportunities including one-off celeb-led adventures and over 50 Australian travel experiences.

G’Day LA is produced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Austrade, Qantas Airways and Tourism Australia in conjunction with State Governments and key private sector sponsors.

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